Later in the day, the third baseman said repeatedly on Mike Francesa's radio show on WFAN (660-AM in New York) that he wants to play Friday and the Yankees won't let him. He also says he has a lawyer "documenting everything."

When asked if he trusted the Yankees, Rodriguez said: "I'd rather not get into that." Rodriguez added that "he was anxious and ready to play." Rodriguez also said "he had not thought about filing a grievance."

Earlier in the day, Rodriguez issued a statement that read, "I think the Yankees and I crossed signals. I don't want any more mix-ups. I'm excited and ready to play and help this team win a championship. I feel great and I'm ready and want to be in the lineup Friday night. Enough doctors, let's play."

The Associated Press reported Thursday that A-Rod and the Yankees agreed that he would get back on the field either to continue his rehabilitation assignment or in simulated games in about a week.

The report also that the Yankees would discipline Rodriguez for seeking a second opinion on his leg injury without permission as outlined in the collective bargaining agreement — the punishment likely would be a fine.

In a conference call with the team's beat writers, Brian Cashman discussed the A-Rod situation.

"We agreed that a protocol would be followed that is necessary when you return somebody from a quad injury. That protocol will include further treatment, which he'll continue tomorrow with some light conditioning, and then expand to more functional work from the 27th through the 31st. Our hope, as well as Alex's hope, without any setbacks or new complaints, that would put him in a situation to have either a simulated game or a rehab game on Aug. 1."

A-Rod sounded a little miffed during his during five-minute appearance on WFAN.

"Obviously I'm very, very disappointed," he said. "I know I can help my team. Obviously, I'm frustrated but I agreed to this five-day plan, and on we go."

The Yankees have said that Rodriguez, who is on the 60-day disabled list, has a strained quadriceps that is preventing him from returning. But on Wednesday, a doctor who had examined Rodriguez's MRI results spoke to multiple New York media outlets and said that even though he had not examined the third baseman, Rodriguez should be able to return to action.

That resulted in a statement being issued by Yankees general manager Brian Cashman that referred three times to "Mr. Rodriguez," a sign of just how toxic the relationship between team and $250 million fading star have become. Still, it was an upgrade from a month ago, when Rodriguez pronounced himself ready for a rehab assignment, and Cashman told ESPN New York, "Alex should just shut the f--- up."

Rodriguez, who had offseason hip surgery, is 8-for-40 in 13 rehab games across various levels of the Yankees farm system.

Exactly how much Rodriguez can help the Yankees down the stretch remains to be seen — assuming Major League Baseball does not suspend him for his role in the Biogenesis scandal.